February 01, 2008

Educating Russ about criticism

Some fun exchanges on the value of criticism (especially movie criticism):

You're largely ignorant of what makes a film work, which is why you 1) can't write your own reviews and 2) can't get your screenplays produced.

Almost any way you slice it, if a majority of critics like a movie, chances are it will do better at the box office than a similar film the majority of critics don't like.

In case you're as ignorant as you seem, many TV shows are put on the air as a gamble with no guarantee of success. The networks roll the dice because they believe quality will attract viewers.

Your claim that critics claim to see "all movies" is a stupid straw-man argument. I haven't claimed that I've seen every Native-themed movie, or that I need to see them.

Needless to say, you're ignorant of the effects of criticism on the "buying" public.

I don't criticize works of fiction because I'm a frustrated artist. I write fiction myself.

"The power to question is the basis of all human progress." --Indira Gandhi

Whether or not a filmmaker intends to include a message, a message is often there.

When you've thought and written as much as I have on these subjects, then we'll talk. Until then, you're a dilettante.

Critics aren't "wrong" if they judge a movie bad and the public judges it good.

Tell us which acts of ignorant racism you're willing to defend on the grounds of popularity, Russ.

[I]n matters of historical accuracy, I don't claim to be an expert--unlike you.

As usual, you think ratings = quality, which shows you don't know much about quality moviemaking.

So what do we have here? On the one hand, many giants of arts and letters who understand the role of criticism. On the other hand, you.

At least I base my opinions on what the critics say. You base yours on nothing.

I guess "hearsay" is your word for "reporting." As you may have heard, journalists often don't witness an event themselves.

Readers of Newspaper Rock know I often write my own reviews. If you don't know this, you're a blithering idiot.


Write your own reviews if you think you can do a better job of it, hypocrite.

As for your idiotic conflating of ratings and quality, you've said it before and I can quote you on it.

A movie's acting, directing, and so forth aren't Native issues, bright boy.

Enjoy!

7 comments:

writerfella said...

Writerfella here --
On all of those subjects, writerfella could agree with you, Rob, except then we'd BOTH be wrong!
All Best
Russ Bates
'writerfella'

dmarks said...

I'm sure I'm not the only one who sees the irony of someone writing a very long comment criticizing someone's blog post for being long-winded.

writerfella said...

Writerfella here --
Wow, someone else who sees that being paid by the word means that you'd better choose the fewest and the best words...
All Best
Russ Bates
'writerfella'

Rob said...

I chose the best words in the 400-plus articles I wrote as a professional freelance writer. You know, the articles that have made my career four or five times more substantial than yours?

I thought I did a great job summarizing your idiocies in this posting. Each of the one or two sentences links to hundreds or thousands of words on the subject.

Not surprisingly, you still can't answer any of the questions put to you, Russ. If your IQ is two points lower than Einstein's, it's only because he's dead.

Just think...in a few years, your IQ will be the same as his. Then you'll be as capable as he is of answering my questions.

writerfella said...

Writerfella here --
Luckily for writerfella, he will outlive you, if only because you are insulting Native American existence and intelligence. There are far more Native Americans other than writerfella who judge that umbrage is a capital offense. Remember this: when you don't see a Native American, THAT'S the time to worry...
All Best
Russ Bates
'writerfella'

Rob said...

As usual, you couldn't address my arguments, so you've dodged them with a distraction. You don't know jack about movie criticism, as you've demonstrated repeatedly. A five-year-old could offer deeper insights into a movie than you do with your fawning raves.

No other Native person is taking "umbrage" with my postings, Russ. You can see the proof in the comments, which are generally positive except for yours. As with your fictional beliefs about the Maya and Anasazi, any umbrage is in your imagination.

To learn what Native people think about Blue Corn Comics, see The Fans Speak and The Web Fans Speak. FYI, I post the negative comments I receive because I find them interesting. I simply don't get many of them.

You're guaranteeing that you'll outlive me even though you're 17.5 years older? My health is fine...how about yours? Any diabetes, heart disease, or cirrhosis of the liver in your medical history?

At least this is one assertion we can verify. If I die first, feel free to return to this thread and post an epitaph. I'll do the same if you die first. The odds are excellent that I'll prove you wrong one more time.

Rob said...

Why would my (nonexistent) insults affect my lifespan? Stupid.

Yeah, I work for a Native news service, write articles for Native newspapers, and get invited to Native museums because I'm insulting Natives. Stupid.

You sure say some stupid things sometimes.